Suction cleaner



oct. 12, 1937., w. F. HUDQDNETl AL y 2,095,472

SUCTION CLEANER n lFiled July 17, 1933 BSheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR ATTQRNEY Oct. 12, 1937. F. HUDSON ETL SUCTION CLEANER Filed July 17, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Oct. 12,1193? sUC'rloN CLEANER Willis F. Hudson, Riversiae,'n|., 4and Douala G. Smellie, Canton, Ollio, assignors to The Hoover Company, North Canton, Ghio, a corporation of Ohio Application July 17, 1933, Serial No. 680,706

9 Claims.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a new and improved suction cleaner agitator. It is another object to provide, in a suction cleaner, an inexpensive simple rotary agitator construction in which the brush element is mounted directly on, and is carried by, the beater element, the latter being of s uiilcient strength to maintain the rigidity of the construction which is unprovided with a llongitudinally supporting shaft. It is still another object to provide, in a rotary agitator for a suction cleaner a simple construction in which the brush element is carl ried by the beater element and extends to a surface-contacting position ata point spaced circumferentially therefrom. A' still further object is to provide a simplied rotary agitator construction invwhichthe brush element is carried by the beater element and extends therefrom to a point diametrically opposite thereto. Still another object is the provision of an agitator of the rotary type in which the brush element is mounted on the beater element and extends radially therefrom across the axis of the agitator, the beater element being extended to partially enclose the brush element. 'I'hese and other more specific objects will appear upon reading the following specification and-claims, and upon con- "sidering in connection therewith the attached drawings to which they relate.

Referring now to the drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the present invention are disclosed: n Y

1Figure 1 is a side view, partially in cross section, of amodern suction cleaner with the present invention embodiedth'erein;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal view of the agitator being taken upon the line 2- 2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a section upon the vline 3-3 of Figlure 2;

Figure 4 is a section upon the line 4-4 of Figure 3; l

Figure 5 is a longitudinal section through the agitator pulley being taken upon the line 5--5 ofFigure2;' Y

` Figure 6 is a transverse section upon the line 6-6 of Figure2;

`Figure 7 is a transverse view showing the nozzle 'and wall with the agitator supporting means;

vThe present invention lies in the specific con- Figure 8 is a second preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 9 is a section' upon the line S--S of Figure 8;

Figure` 10 is a section upon the line IIl--Illof 5 Figure 8; Y

Figure' 11 is a section upon the line II-II of Figure 8; 7

Figure 12 is a side view of a third preferred embodiment 'of the present invention;

Figure 13 is a transverse section through the pulley of the agitator of Figure 12, being taken upon the line I3-I3;

Figure 14 is a section upon the line I4-I4 of Figure 12;

Figure 15 isa view in perspective of that portion of the beater bar which is positioned within the pulley of. the agitator shown in Figure 12.

I n the drawings, and in Figure 1 in particular, is illustrated a modern suction cleaner of a type in which an agitator constructed in accordance with the present invention is adapted to be embodied. The cleaner includes a nozzle I, fan chamber 2 and an exhaust outlet 3. In the operation of the cleaner the surface covering 4 undergoing cleaning is lifted between the front and rear nozzle lips 5 and 6, respectively, by the suction created within the nozzle I by the fan 'I within the fan chamber 2. The fan is itself rotated by an unshown motor positioned within the motor casing 8 immediately -above the fan chamber 2. lI'he dirt-laden air drawn by fan 'I passes through the fan chamber l2 and is exhausted through the exhaust outlet 3 into the removably secured dust bag`9. 'I'he cleaner is movably supported by front and rear wheels I0 and II respectively, there being means, indicated generally bythe reference character I2, by which therear wheels II may be adjusted relative to the body of the cleaner for the purpose of varying the distance or height of the lips 5 and 6 above the covering undergoing cleaning. The cleaner is also provided with a plvoted handle I3 by which the operator may exert a v'propelling force. Within the nozzle I of the cleaner a rotary agitator is provided. The agitator is driven by means 'of a belt I4 which extends from the end of the motor shaft Id, below the fan l, forwardly to the nozzle I, where it encircles the agitator.

struction of the agitator within the nozzle.

Referring now to the first" embodiment of the invention, illustrated in Figures 2 to 6, inclusive,

the agitator is seen to be extremely simple in construction. Between two peripherally nanged end 55 plates I6, I6 extends a helical metallic channel member I1 which presents a smooth rounded curved surface along its length at points equal distance from the longitudinal axis determined by the plate centers. Substantially in its longitudinal center the element I1 is recessed, as in-l dicated at I8 in Figure 5, and about this recessed portion is positioned a member I9 having an exterior groove or channel and which functions as a pulley. Member I9 may be molded about the central portion of element I1 or may be secured thereto in any suitable manner. As is clearly seen in Figure 2 the lsides of the channel element I1 extend completely through the pulley I9 and provide a construction which is rigid and durable. The element I1 is removably secured to each of the end plates I 6, I6 by screws 2l), 20 etc., which extend through clips or aps 2I, 2I formed integrally on the ends of. the element I1.

As is clearly seen in Figure 3 the element I1 is formed as a U-shaped channel which is greater in width at its inner end than at any other point. Itis also noted that at any point along the longitu`dlna1 axis of thel agitator that the channel opens radially. Element I1 is formed in this manner in order that it may serve as a retaining seat for the brush elements, 22, 22, the metallic backs 23, 23 of which are shapedl to 'conform to the interior dimensions of the element I1 and..

being similarly shaped'into a helical form, are adapted to be slid into the member I1 from the ends thereof after the-end plates I5, I6 have been removed. With the metallic back 23 seated within the element I 1 at each side of the pulley I9, the bristles of the brushes 22, 22 extend radially from the element I1 to a point diametrically opposite thereto and to a substantially equal radial distance from the longitudinal axis.

Each end plate I6 is provided with an attached stub-shaft 24 which seats within the inner race of a ball-bearing 25. The outer race of each bearing seats within an end construction including an encircling resilient ring 21 and a flanged plate member 26'which extends closely adjacent and overlies the end of end members I6, I6 to perform the function of a thread guard. Each ring or seat 21 is adapted to be received and seated within stationary seat 28provided at each end of the nozzle I, each stationary seat being provided with a retaining spring 29 which resistingly locks the agitator in place once it has been inserted into the seat against the spring pressure. This construction is clearly shown in Figure 7.

In the operation orf the machine the driving lbelt I4 cooperates with the pulley I9 to rotate the agitator aboutits supporting shafts 24, 24 in the longitudinal axis. As the outer curved surface of element II1 and the outer ends of brushes 22, 22 extend to substantially equal distances radially from this axis of rotation these portions will contact the lifted surface-covering between the nozzle lips 5 and 6 at a speed determined by the speed of rotation of the drlvingpulley I5. At high speed rotation the massI of the beater element I1 more than oil'sets the centrifugal force of the brushesA and formed with a helically extending protrusion 31 which functions as a beater element. Divi- -positioning of the molded member.

metrically opposite each beater element 31 along its length the surface of cylinder 35 re-enters within the normal radius of the cylinder to form brush protector walls 38, 38. Each end of cylinder 35 is enclosed by an end member 39 which overlies and enforces the cylinders end and is itself provided with a stub-shaft 40 in the longitudinal axis of the cylinder. As in the first embodiment stub-shaft 40 is rotatably seated within a bearing 4I which is provided on its circumferen- .tial exterior with a rubber enclosing ring 42, and

which also carries a thread guard member 43 which closely encloses the end member 39. At each end of the cylinder adjacent the end of the beater element 31 the cylinder is slotted as shown at 44 and with the end member 39 removed from the cylinder, accomplished by unscrewing two screws 45, 45, it ispossible to insert the brush 46 into the agitator with its metallic back 41 seated within the inner concave surface of the beater element 31. The brush may be inserted manually for its full length into the cylinder 35 until its inner end contacts the end of the element 31. To cooperate with the element 31 in retaining the brush in position lugs 48, 48 have been pressed -from the cylinder at spaced points along the The bristles ofl length of the 'beater element. brush 46 extend outwardly from t-he interior of cylinder 35 through the opening between the walls 38, 38 to a point radially beyond the normal circumference of cylinder 35 which is substantially equal to the height of beater element 31 thereabove.

In the two embodiments described the replacement of the brush, upon the bristle lengthfhaving been decreased through wear in the cleaning op eration, is extremely simple requiring as it does only the removal of the agitator end plates and the insertion of a new brush after the worn elel ment has been removed.

ments and which are spaced degrees circumferentially upon the opposite sides of the longitudinal center. 'I'hese two sections. are connected by a transversely extending portion 52. Upon this last portion a pulley 53 is positioned which may be mounted in any suitable fashion, but which is shown in the illustration as being molded thereon, the portion 52 being provided with offset ears 54 54 to insure the permanent The side of each beater portion 5I facing the axis of rotation is flattened, as is clearly shownl in Figure 14, to provide a surface to which may be secured the rigid back 55 of a removable brush 56, screws 51,

51- extending between the two to hold them in ilxed relativepositions. The length of bristles of the brush 56 is such that the brush extends to a point diametrically opposite the beater portion'll which is at substantially the same radius from the axis of rotation as the outermost portlon'of that element.

In the operation of this last described embodiment the agitator is rotatably mounted by suitable bearing means within the nozzle of a4 cleaner with the driving belt encircling the pulley I3. 35

. The agitator rotates at high speed and the curved a new brush.

We claim:

1. A rotary agitator for a suction cleaner including an elongated channeled member having a smooth rounded exterior, an end member at the end of said channeled member, means removably securing said members together, means carried by said end member rotatably supporting said members, a brush carried by said channeled member and removable from the end -thereof with said end member disconnected therefrom, and a pulley rotatable with said channeled member.` y

2. A rotary agitator for a suction cleaner comprising an open ended elongated, channeled member having a smooth rounded surface, a pulley on said member and rotatable therewith, end plates rigidly and removably secured relative to said member closing the ends thereof, a brush having a rigid back seated in said channeled member and removable from the end thereof, said member being- 'provided 'with -cylindrical walls which extend outwardly from said chan'- nel and partially surround said brush and extend channelward and closely adjacent said brush a a point spaced from4 said channel, and means carried by said end plates supporting the entire construction for'rotation about an axis substantially equidistant from the surface-contacting end of said brush andthe rounded surface of said member.

3. A rotary agitator for a suction cleaner comprising an elongated shaft having aligned end portions in the axis of rotation and intermediate central `portions radially spaced from said axis andv circumferentially spaced from each other and connected by a transversely extending portion, a pulley mounted on said last-mentioned portion and centered on the axis of rotation, said central portions being rounded to form beater elements, a brush including a rigid back removably secured to.= the inner side of each central portion and bristles extended from said back to a point having a radial distance from the axis of rotation equal to that of the exterior surface of said central portions.

4. A rotary agitator for a suction cleaner comprising a rigid elongated longitudinally extending beater element, means to support said element for rotation about a longitudinal axis spaced radially from the surface-contacting portions of said element, a pulley rotatable with said element, and a brush removably secured tov said element adjacent its surface-contacting por-` tion on a side thereof facing said longitudinal axis, said brush being extended diametrically from said element to a surface-contacting point equi-distant with said element from the axis of rotation.

5. A rotary agitator for a suction cleaner comprising a rigid elongated surface-contacting beater element one side of which is formed as a brush seat, means rotatably supporting said element for rotation about a longitudinal axis, a

pulley rotatable with said element, and a brush including. a back with bristles extending from one side thereof, said back lying along said element at said seat and conformingto the shape thereof, said bristles extending from said back to a position spaced circumferentially from said element relative to said axis of rotation-which position is spaced from said axis by a distance equal to that of the surface-,contacting portion of saidl beater element.

6. Arotary agitator for a suction cleaner comprising an elongated cylindrical member formed lwith an inwardly facing concave channel, said '7. A rotary agitator for a, suction cleaner com- 1 prising a hollow cylindrical body formed with an opening in its periphery, means to support said body for rotation about its major axis, and a brush mounted on the wall of said body at a point diametrically spaced from -said opening and vextended across said body and through said opening to a surface-contacting position..

8. The structure defined by claim 7 in which said opening is formed by inwardly converging walls.

9. The struct-ure defined by claim 7 in which said opening extends spirally on said body.

4WILLIS F. HUDSON.` DONALD ci.V sil/raum. 

